Research

For Businesses

Business and Company Resource Center

Whether you are a job seeker, investor, business student or industry insider, Business and Company Resource Center has the tools you need to conduct in-depth research. It offers up-to-date, accurate business, company and industry information including investment reports, brand and product information, industry and company rankings, financial and earning estimates, and information on corporate hierarchical structures.

MI-SBTCD

Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTCD) is a network provides a full range of services for small businesses that are growing throughout Michigan, including new venture launches, existing and expanding businesses, and companies grounded in technology commercialization.

SCORE

SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is America's premier source of free & confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs. SCORE is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization formed in 1964 to help small businesses flourish. SCORE provides a public service to America by offering free small business advice and training.

SCORE's 10,500 volunteers have more than 600 business skills. Volunteers share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. Our volunteers are working/retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders.

General BusinessFile ASAP

Use this resource to conduct in-depth research on companies, products, markets, industries, economics and management disciplines by accessing business and management journals, trade journals, newspapers and directories. Includes full-text U.S. and international private and public company directory listings and full-text PR Newswire releases. Covers 1980-Present and is updated daily.

LearningExpress Library

Use this interactive online learning platform to access free licensing and certification practice tests, and skill-building tutorials. Click on the “Job Search and Workplace Skills” tab to access exercises and practice tests designed to improve your business writing, resume writing, networking, interviewing, and management skills. Creating an account is quick, easy and free!

Michigan Business One Stop

On this site you will find an array of resources and tools to help you start and operate a business in Michigan, including tax registration and applying for permits and licenses. Check out the "Try Business One Stop" feature where you can create scenarios for starting different types of businesses and learn the state requirements for getting started, including costs and time frames. From tips on writing a business plan to financing your business, the Michigan Business One Stop has it all.

AT&T Online Phonebook

Find the contact information for people, places and business, and conduct reverse lookups. All of the information in the phone book is now available online!

For Consumers

Annualcreditreport.com

AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized service for consumers to request free annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

AnnualCreditReport.com provides consumers with the secure means to request and obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies in accordance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act).

AnnualCreditReport.com offers consumers a fast and convenient way to request, view and print their credit reports in a secure Internet environment. We also provide options to request reports by telephone and by mail.

Please note that, as a security precaution,

Consumers should never provide their personal information to any other company or person for requesting free annual credit reports under the FACT Act.
AnnualCreditReport.com will not approach consumers via email, telemarketing or direct mail solicitations.

National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at this Website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free.

Optoutprescreen.com

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you ("Firm Offers"). The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for Firm Offers.

Through this website, you may request to:

Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers for Five Years - (electronically through this website).
Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers permanently - (mail Permanent Opt-Out Election form available through this website).
Opt-In and be eligible to receive Firm Offers. This option is for consumers who have previously completed an Opt-Out request - (electronically through this website).

Insurance Institute of Michigan

IIM’s purpose is to serve the Michigan insurance industry and the insurance consumer as a central focal point for educational, media, legislative and public information on insurance issues.

The Association serves as the official spokesperson for the property/casualty insurance industry in Michigan. To assist consumers, IIM maintains a toll-free consumer "hotline" to answer insurance questions or assist in resolving problems. The "hotline", 1-800-777-8005 is available Monday through Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.

Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Protection Page

This section of the FTC website offers practical information on a variety of consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid rip-offs and exercise your consumer rights.

Office of the Attorney General of Michigan - Consumer Protection

Provides tips and information for consumers in Michigan. The Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's office helps consumers each year by mediating complaints that fall within our jurisdiction.

Fuel Economy Guides

This site is maintained jointly by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The site helps fulfill DOE and EPA’s responsibility under the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 to provide accurate MPG information to consumers.

AT&T Online Phonebook

Find the contact information for people, places and business, and conduct reverse lookups. All of the information in the phone book is now available online!

For Educators

ERIC

Sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education, ERIC provides ready access to education literature to support the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision-making, and research. ERIC provides unlimited access to more than 1.3 million bibliographic records of journal articles and other education-related materials such as conference papers, technical reports, policy papers and more.

For Fun

Read.gov

Explore new worlds: Read. The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress invites people of all ages to discover the fascinating people, places and events that await you whenever you read. Find reading resources for kids, teens and adults. Read classic books online, watch author webcasts, explore reading lists and much more!

GeekDad

Today's generation of dads grew up more tech-savvy than ever. Rather than joining the Little League team, many grew up playing computer games, Dungeons and Dragons, and watching Star Wars. Now with kids of their own, these digital-age dads are looking for fresh ways to share their love of science and technology, and help their kids develop a passion for learning and discovery. Father of two, Ken Denmead is an engineer and editor of the incredibly popular GeekDad blog on wired.com. Ken'idea-packed blog is designed to help dads and kids alike enjoy the magic of playtime together and tap into the infinite possibility of their imagination.

For Genealogists / Historians

Ancestry Library Edition [Free in-library use only]

Ancestry Library Edition provides unprecedented access to family history via documents that record the lineage of individuals from North America, the U.K., Europe, Australia, and more. Ancestry Library Edition, the world's most popular consumer online genealogy resource, includes more than 7,000 databases of family information available to you via the library.

Library of Michigan Family History

This Web page has information about conducting genealogy research and using the Library and Historical Center, as well as links to online research tools you may use from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Historical Society of Michigan

The Historical Society of Michigan, the state’s oldest cultural organization, helps to connect Michigan’s past to students, educators, historical organizations and the public through education programs, conferences, publications, awards, workshops, referral services, networking opportunities, and support for local history organizations .

Seeking Michigan

Provides access to unique historical information that promotes Michigan’s cultural heritage. We define cultural heritage as the stories of Michigan’s families, homes, businesses, communities and landscapes as told by unique source documents, maps, films, images, oral histories and artifacts .

Heritage Quest Online

HeritageQuest Online includes all of the images and extensive indexing from the 1790 - 1930 U.S. federal censuses, as well as access to Revolutionary War records, Freedman’s Bank records and the U.S. Serial Set. It also offers more than 22,000 digitized book titles, including early family histories and local histories.

MEL Michigana

Enrich your genealogy research with the digital and audio materials found in MeL Michigana. Over 50,000 items from a broad spectrum of libraries and historical institutions in Michigan are included in this free online collection.

FamilySearch

FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. For over 100 years, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide. Patrons may freely access resources and service online at FamilySearch.org, or through over 4,500 family history centers in 70 countries. FamilySearch is an excellent resource for international genealogical records.

ArchiveGrid

Thousands of libraries, museums, and archives have contributed nearly a million collection descriptions to ArchiveGrid. Researchers searching ArchiveGrid can learn about the many items in each of these collections, contact archives to arrange a visit to examine materials, and order copies.

Social Security Index

The Social Security Death Index, commonly referred to as the SSDI, is a database of death records created from the United States Social Security Administration's Death Master File Extract. People who had a Social Security Number, who died after 1963 and whose death was reported to the Social Security Administration are listed. Each record includes the deceased person's birth date, death date, Social Security Number, the state or territory where the SSN was issued and their last place of residence. This massive database is a wonderful resource for genealogists, and is free to search.

The USGenWeb Project

The USGenWeb Project provides free online genealogy help and information for every U.S. state and county. The national site links to state sites, which, in turn, provide gateways to county sites. They also sponsor special projects, gathering useful data you can access for free. This site provides access to a wealth of data including obituraries, cemetary listings, historical maps, state histories, Civil War records, photos and much more.

Cyndi's List

A categorized and cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the Internet. Use Cyndi's List to locate genealogical information online and begin researching your family history.

RootsWeb

An online community of genealogical researchers. RootsWeb provides tools, resources and advice for those researching their family history.

Legacy.com

Search millions of obituaries from more than 750 newspapers in the U.S. and around the world.

Michigan Vital Records

The State of Michigan vital records office has records of births, deaths, and marriages that occurred in Michigan and were filed with the state as early as 1867, and divorce records as early as 1897.

Salem-South Lyon Digital Archives

The Salem-South Lyon Digital Archives provides a powerful and user friendly database to help you dig deep into South Lyon's past. The archives include South Lyon Herald newspaper issues dating back to 1929 -- digitized and fully searchable to help you find the information you need. This project is maintained by Salem-South Lyon District Library.

For Green Living

Energy Savers - U.S. Department of Energy

Learn ways to save energy and use clean, renewable technologies at home, while driving, and at work.

Fueleconomy.gov

Find the lowest gasoline prices, compare cars for fuel efficiency, discover how hybrid cars and other alternative fuel vehicles work, learn you car's energy impact score, and much more!

Earth911

Find out where you can recycle.

For Health, Wellness and Community Services

The Merk Manual of Medical Information - Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers

This free, online version of the popular Merk Manual of Medical Information explains disorders, who is likely to get them, their symptoms, how they're diagnosed, how they might be prevented, and how they can be treated, as well as information about prognosis. Written in easy to understand language for patients and their caregivers, the online version is updated periodically with new information. On the bottom of each topic page is a “Last full review/revision” date. This date indicates when the topic last went through its full editing and review cycle. The online version also contains photographs, audio and video material not found in the print version.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Consumers & Patients

Your source for the latest evidence-based information for improving your health. Learn how to stay healthy, choose a health care plan, get safer care, understand diseases and conditions, and compare medical treatments.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Questions are the Answer

Do you know the right questions to ask your doctor? Improve your care and the care of your loved ones by taking an active role. Learn how to talk with your clinician, ask the right questions, understand your condition and evaluate your options.

MedLine Plus

Covers all areas of medicine, including dentistry and nursing. From the National Library of Medicine.

Nursing Resource Center

Nursing Resource Center brings together in an easy-to-use interface disease and drug overviews, care plans, relevant journal results and animated anatomy and physiology diagrams to complement the core encyclopedia texts. The information is written in accessible language for students completing class assignments and preparing for clinicals.

The National Association of Free Clinics

The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) (ID# 56-2273242) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the more than 1,200 free clinics and the people they serve in the United States. Use this resource to find a free health clinic near you.

Dollars for Docs: What Drug Companies are Paying Your Doctor

Drug companies have long kept secret details of the payments they make to doctors for promoting their drugs. But seven companies have begun posting names and compensation on the Web, some as the result of legal settlements. ProPublica, an independent, non-profit newsroom, compiled these disclosures into a single database that allows patients to search for their doctor.

Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange

Information about adopting in Michigan

United Way for Southeastern Michigan

United Way connects people with resources that improve their lives. Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are ready to provide information about a wide range of community services – including health care, job training, child care, mortgage foreclosure assistance and more.

Catholic Social Services

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County has been dedicated to improving the lives of our community's most vulnerable citizens since 1959. Serving thousands of individuals and families each year, Agency programs reflect the diversity of our community: adoption and pregnancy counseling, food assistance, homelessness prevention, domestic and child abuse intervention and prevention, family therapy, and services designed to assist older adults, individuals with developmental disabilities, and at-risk families with young children.

ETCS - A Michigan Works! Community Action Agency

ETCS, as the Community Action Agency for Washtenaw County, provides services designed to help people to help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency. These programs address a wide range of needs - including weatherization assistance, senior nutrition, senior volunteer opportunities, utility, food and other emergency assistance.

ResourceConnect

NEW’s mission is to help nonprofits succeed by strengthening nonprofit management and offering solutions to issues facing the nonprofit community. It offers nonprofits in southeast Michigan resources, technology, and services to meet the challenges of doing more with less.

Oakland County Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

The Oakland County Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped was established in 1974 to provide access to free library service for County residents who are unable to read standard printed material because of a visual impairment or physical limitation.

Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled

Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled @ AADL is free service administered by the Ann Arbor District Library, loans books, magazines, and videos in alternative formats (recorded cassette, digital cartridge, Braille and descriptive video) to individuals of all ages who are certified as unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations. A player and materials are mailed at no cost as Free Matter for the Blind.

Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is one of the original nineteen Regional Libraries designated by the Library of Congress in 1931. Prior to this official designation, the Wayne County Library provided braille books to blind patrons from a storefront location in the City of Detroit.

For Homeschoolers

Go to our community page for a listing of local homeschool groups.

Homeschool Legal Defense Association

Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Through annual memberships, HSLDA is tens of thousands of families united in service together, providing a strong voice when and where needed.

Michigan Department of Education

The Michigan Department of Education provides resources and information on non-public and home schools.

Home Education Magazine

Home Education Magazine provides focused and extensive coverage of homeschooling and the issues of importance and concern to homeschooling families, advocates, and supporters. They provide free online newsletters, discussion boards, a networking list, and selections from the magazine.

Home Educators Resource Directory

The Home Educators Resource Directory provides a one-stop destination for information, supplies, services and support for the homeschool community. Organized by local, national and global resources, local events calendars, special offers, newsletters, educational articles and homeschool support groups.

Home School Fun! Online Magazine

Home School Fun! Online Magazine provides information to succeed in your homeschool. It is an online learning site with weekly lessons, daily learning activities, hands-on projects, daily writing ideas, unit studies, weekly challenges, reading suggestions, homeschool help, free newsletter, and a monthly online homeschool magazine.

Homeschool World

Homeschool World is the official site of Practical Homeschooling Magazine and features a homeschooling community, articles, news and on-line experts.

Family Unschooler’s Network

Family Unschooler's Network provides support for unschooling, homeschooling, and self-directed learning including newsletter articles, reviews, resources, web sites, books and lots of other information.

Homeschooling Michigan

Homeschooling Michigan is intended to be the center for homeschooling in Michigan. Their mission is to bring together support groups, resources and activities for the Michigan Homeschooler.

National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network

A Christian, non-profit organization dedicated to providing encouragement to families with children with special needs that are homeschooling.

For Jobseekers

Occupational Outlook Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. For hundreds of different types of jobs—such as teacher, lawyer, and nurse—the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you: the training and education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job, working conditions, etc. In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more. The Handbook is revised every two years.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision-making. As an independent statistical agency, BLS serves its diverse user communities by providing products and services that are objective, timely, accurate, and relevant.

Michigan.gov Unemployment Insurance Agency

File for unemployment benefits online. The application will ask a series of questions. Based on your responses, the system may ask you additional questions in order to complete your claim. The process could take up to 45 minutes. To use the on-line service, applicants must be filing a new or additional claim.

AT&T Online Phonebook

Find the contact information for people, places and business, and conduct reverse lookups. All of the information in the phone book is now available online!

For Legal / Government

Michigan Sex Offender Registry

This registry is made available through the Internet with the intent to better assist the public in preventing and protecting against the commission of future criminal sexual acts by convicted sex offenders.

Michigan Tenant Counseling Program

Michigan Tenant Counseling Program is a non-profit organization committed to informing tenants about the laws and ordinances that govern the landlord/tenant relationship. They provide information to tenants through a Resource Library and on-demand phone and internet counseling to residents of Washtenaw County and Battle Creek. Their part-time staff is comprised of committed tenant counselors and is supervised by an attorney. However, they can only provide information, not legal advice.

Acclaim Legal Services

Acclaim Legal Services attorneys specialize in creating customized debt solutions to address issues resulting from these difficult economic times in Southeastern Michigan, including foreclosure and bankruptcy. They offer free in-office and phone consultations to review your personal circumstances, analyze your situation and advise you on the best course of action.

Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc.

Legal Aid and Defender Association is the largest provider of legal services to low- and moderate-income people in Michigan and one of the largest in the nation. Their service area comprises Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties, including the City of Detroit. They provide civil legal services to residents of all three counties and represent defendants arraigned on criminal charges in Wayne County Circuit Court and U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. They have a full-time staff of 150, an annual operating budget of $15.2 million, and close more than 11,800 cases a year.

LegalTrac

An excellent resource for legal information, LegalTrac draws on a wide variety of the most highly regarded legal publications, including law reviews, legal newspapers and bar association journals. It also contains law-related articles from over 1,000 business-related and general interest publications.

Statistical Abstract of the United States

The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Use the Abstract for statistical reference, and as a guide to sources of more information both in print and on the Web. Sources of data include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and many other Federal agencies and private organizations.

South Lyon City Council Archive

Includes agendas, minutes and packets from 2008 to present.

Michigan Legislative Publications

Provides PDFs of various Michigan government documents, as well as general interest publications.

Michigan Votes

Where do I vote: Michigan Voters Information is a web site provides you with a vast assortment of information related to voter registration and election administration in Michigan.

League of Women Voters

League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization established in 1920 to encourage citizen participation in government. It never supports or opposes any political party or candidate but does advocate on selected issues.

Maps of Oakland County

Provides various maps of Oakland County.

For Students

College.gov

For students who are unsure whether college is for them. This website provides information about applying to, attending and graduating from college. It features first-person accounts of students who overcame challenges such as peer pressure, lack of family support and financial barriers.

College Preparation Checklist

The new College Preparation Checklist is for all students considering or planning for college. The checklist explains how to prepare academically and financially for college through "to do" lists aimed at elementary and secondary students and their parents, as well as adult students. It also provides a brief introduction to federal aid, the FAFSA process and looking for scholarships.

Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid

Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid is a comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of aid available through the Department's Federal Student Aid office. This guide tells you about the programs and how to apply for them.

Student Aid on the Web

Your source for free information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for college and funding education beyond high school.

The Learning Express Library

For all grades elementary through college,The Learning Express Library allows Michigan residents to access free practice tests, exercises and skill-building tutorials in a variety of subject areas. Creating an account is easy! Take free practice ACT, SAT, AP, TOEFL ibT tests, as well as graduate school entrance exams and much more.

Homework Center

Find help in various subjects such as chemistry, math, history and much more. Test your writing skills and get tips on doing better research.

Statistical Abstract of the United States

CIA World Factbook

The CIA World Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 266 world entities. The Reference tab includes: maps of the major world regions, as well as Flags of the World, a Physical Map of the World, a Political Map of the World, and a Standard Time Zones of the World map.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Features contextual information and opinions on hundreds of today's hottest social issues. Drawing on the acclaimed Greenhaven Press series, the new solution features continuously updated viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazines, academic journals, news articles, primary source documents, statistics, images, videos, audio files and links to vetted websites organized into a user-friendly portal experience.

CultureGrams

A leading reference for concise, reliable, and up-to-date cultural information on countries across the globe, this database includes four editions: the World Edition (for middle school and up) and the Kids, States, and Canadian Provinces editions (for upper elementary school students). Also includes, photos, downloadable slideshows and streaming videos, build-your-own sortable data tables and graphs, interviews with native children and adults, printable maps and flags, sounds files for the national anthems and country names and much more. Written by local experts, there is information on government, religion, daily life and customs, history, plus maps, flags, photographs and videos. CultureGrams reports are updated twice annually.

Nursing Resource Center

Nursing Resource Center brings together in an easy-to-use interface for disease and drug overviews, care plans, relevant journal results and animated anatomy and physiology diagrams to complement the core encyclopedia texts. The information is written in accessible language for students completing class assignments and preparing for clinicals.